Thursday, 27 April 2017

Release Date: 27/04/17Publisher: Jonathan CapeSYNOPSIS:
Not far in the future the seas have risen and the central latitudes are emptying but it’s still a good time to be rich in San Francisco where weapons drones patrol the skies to keep out the multitudinous poor. Irina isn’t rich, not quite, but she does have an artificial memory that gives her perfect recall, and lets her act as a medium between her various employers and their AIs, which are complex to the point of opacity. It’s a good gig, paying enough for the annual visits to the Mayo Clinic that keep her from ageing.

Kern has no such access; he's one of the many refugees in the sprawling drone-built favelas on the city’s periphery, where he lives like a monk, training relentlessly in martial arts, scraping by as a thief and an enforcer. Thales is from a different world entirely – the mathematically-inclined scion of a Brazilian political clan, he's fled to L.A. after the attack that left him crippled and his father dead.

A ragged stranger accosts Thales and demands to know how much he can remember. Kern flees for his life after robbing the wrong mark. Irina finds a secret in the reflection of a laptop’s screen in her employer’s eyeglasses. None are safe as they’re pushed together by subtle forces that stay just out of sight.

Vivid, tumultuous and propulsive, Void Star is Zachary Mason’s mind-bending follow-up to his bestselling debut The Lost Books of the Odyssey.

REVIEW:
Sad to say that I was expecting quite a lot out of this book and was sadly disappointed with a tale that was very cold and a bit too clean almost as if a super computer had written it and removed all warmth from within. Thats not to say its a terrible book, it was just a title that didn't gel with me purely for the fact that I couldn't find a character within that I liked or wanted to spend time around.

Whilst it will appeal to a number of readers out there, it really wasn't my bag of *micro" chips and whilst I could see some good solid writing with decent prose all round it just didn't want to keep me engaged with what was happening within. A great shame.

Tuesday, 25 April 2017

Release Date: 25/04/17Publisher: SYNOPSIS:
The sixteenth book in the New York Times bestselling Elemental Assassin urban fantasy series that RT Book Reviews calls, “An extraordinary series…[containing] one of the most intriguing heroines in the genre.”

Another week, another few clues trickling in about the Circle, the mysterious group that supposedly runs the city’s underworld. Gathering intel on my hidden enemies is a painstaking process, but a more immediate mystery has popped up on my radar: a missing girl.

My search for the girl begins on the mean streets of Ashland, but with all the killers and crooks in this city, I’m not holding out much hope that she’s still alive.

A series of clues leads me down an increasingly dark, dangerous path, and I realize that the missing girl is really just the first thread in this web of evil. As an assassin, I’m used to facing down the worst of the worst, but nothing prepares me for this new, terrifying enemy—one who strikes from the shadows and is determined to make me the next victim.

REVIEW:
I've loved this series since i discovered it a little while ago. Jennifer always gives me a story that is high octane action mixing it with softer emotional elements and brings it all together with a kick ass plot that doesn't let go.

The writing is friendly, crisp and when you throw into the mix a principle character that you love to spend time with alongside a supporting cast that you care about all round means that its hard each time you turn the final page knowing that it'll be a while before you embark on their next story.

All round a great piece of fun although I really want to know whats in Gen's BBQ sauce so I can make some up before embarking on the next tale. Magic.

Thursday, 20 April 2017

Release Date: 20/04/17Publisher: Tor/Pan MacmillanSYNOPSIS:
Pyrre Lakatur doesn’t like the description skullsworn. It doesn’t capture the beauty of her devotion to Ananshael, God of Death. And she’s not an assassin, but a priestess. Or she will be, if she can pass her final trial. The problem isn’t killing, as Pyrre has spent her life training for this. The problem is love. To pass the trial, she will have fourteen days to kill seven people detailed in an ancient song, including one true love, ‘who will not come again’. However, Pyrre has never been in love, time is short, and if she fails she’ll be given to her god.

Pyrre’s not afraid to die, but she hates to fail. So a month before the trial begins, she returns to the violent city of her birth, where she once offered an abusive father to the god. Here Pyrre hopes to find love – and end it with the edge of her knife.

REVIEW:
Having enjoyed the authors previous work, I was rather looking forward to returning to the world and spending time with one of the cast members, this time in the lead role. However to be honest I had a hell of a job getting into the book. I found the character detestable and to be blunt, if you hadn't read the previous titles in the series (although this is the start of a new one) you may well find yourself more than confused and wondering how long you'd persevere with the book.

I'm not saying its bad, but the first chapter feels more than a little clunky and almost lost as if it were a later add on or a start that wasn't returned to later and polished to keep it smoother. The writing is solid enough, the story arc one full of reasonable twists and turns which when added to dialogue that helps further it, generates a book that is more OK than anything else.

All round, I will stick with Brian as I feel that there's a lot more behind the scenes waiting to come to the fore in later outings for the world, however as a standalone I do feel that this one is more of a middle of the road title than a standout must read book.

Wednesday, 19 April 2017

Release Date: 20/04/17Publisher: GollanczSYNOPSIS:
After a five year sabbatical following the tragic death of his wife and fellow agent Alysha, Keon Rause returns to the distant colony world of Magenta to resume service with the Magentan Intelligence Service. With him he brings an artificial recreation of his wife's personality, a simulacrum built from every digital trace she left behind. She has been constructed with one purpose - to discover the truth behind her own death - but Keon's relationship with her has grown into something more, something frighteningly dependent, something that verges on love.

Cashing in old favours, Keon uses his return to the Service to take on a series of cases that allow him and the artificial Alysha to piece together his wife's last days. His investigations lead him inexorably along the same paths Alysha followed five years earlier, to a sinister and deadly group with an unhealthy fascination for the unknowable alien Masters; but as the wider world of Magenta is threatened with an imminent crisis, Keon finds himself in a dilemma: do his duty and stand with his team to expose a villainous crime, or sacrifice them all for the truth about his wife?

REVIEW:
OK, a book that to be honest could have done without the Westworld addition to the cover, yes I know, it will sell the book and help put it into a niche that people can identify with but for me it feels like cheap shot that detracts from the story within.

Yes there's AI, and yes it has sentience alongside being "better than the original" but for Skynets sake, AI is so much more than that.

Right that said, lets onto the nitty gritty, the book has good prose, an interesting principle character and a Crime Thriller theme that works wonderfully well in this genre. What doesn't work however is the female cast members around him. They felt cheap and nasty, rather 2D rather than fully realised as they all seemed to be cut from two stereotypical cloths that for me made me feel that a lot of hard work was thrown way just to keep the author focused on the story.

Yes at the end of the day its a solid story and one that I did have a lot of fun reading but when an author alienates half of the readership due to poor insight into the feminine psyche then you really have to pull up a chair and ask why.

Friday, 7 April 2017

But the residents adapted and it remained the bustling, vibrant metropolis it had always been. Though changed forever.

Every street became a canal. Every skyscraper an island.

REVIEW:
Kim is an author that always manages to come up with a book that not only grabs my attention but keeps it glued as he weaves his storytelling magic. Here we get to see a city under siege from not only nature but mans own foibles as each block is a self sustained living unit amongst others.

Its a book that looks at practicalities of mans ability to survive and how we can come together despite the circumstances. Its definitely an unusual title, one that makes you think and for me, at the end of the day, that makes for a truly unique experience.

Thursday, 6 April 2017

Release Date: 06/04/17Publisher: OrbitSYNOPSIS:
At the end of the day, Death visits everyone. Right before that, Charlie does.
You might meet him in a hospital, in a warzone, or at the scene of a traffic accident.
Then again, you might meet him at the North Pole - he gets everywhere, our Charlie.
Would you shake him by the hand, take the gift he offers, or would you pay no attention to the words he says?
Sometimes he is sent as a courtesy, sometimes as a warning. He never knows which.
The End of the Day is the stunning new novel by Claire North, author of word-of-mouth bestseller The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August.

REVIEW:
Now to be honest I've not read Claire's work before now and I have to wonder why she wasn't on my radar sooner as this tale just pulled me in from the very beginning. I loved the way that she weaved the plot with cracking dialogue as well as great prose, however the real star for me was the way she brought her characters across, especially the principle player Charlie.

He shone for me from start to finish and I was so engrossed to find out what he was up to as well as how things would develop that I didn't notice time slipping away as I read page after page, chapter after chapter.

Its wonderfully inventive, a tale unlike any other and for me this unique outing really is a book that will stay with me for a long time. Magic.

Wednesday, 5 April 2017

Release Date: 05/04/17Publisher: Hodder SYNOPSIS:
Flavia Albia's day-old marriage is in trouble - her new husband may be permanently disabled and they have no funds. So when Palace officials ask her to help expose a plotter in their midst she is obliged to accept their commission.

The plot could not be bigger. Ever since he died in AD 68, apparently by his own hand, Rome has been haunted by reports that the Emperor Nero is in fact very much alive and about to return to claim his throne.

Two Nero pretenders have emerged in the East and met grisly fates. But now, as the Emperor Domitian, whose tyrannical, paranoid reign grows ever more unpopular, fights a war in faraway Dacia, there emerges a far more sinister contender. What's more the rumour is that this false Nero is already in Rome. Plunged into the conspiracy, Flavia must infiltrate the house of the Parthians who have smuggled in this new impostor, negotiate with spies, dodge the assassins sent by the Palace traitor, and somehow cope with her stricken husband.

Can she succeed before the impostor is revealed? Or will Rome once more be plunged into civil war?

REVIEW:
In Historical Crime Fiction one author that always gives me a cracking tale is Lindsey and I'm pleased to say that she hasn't let me down again as Flavia works her analytical mind to help those in power solve a problem whose answer has eluded them.

As usual the pace it solid, our protagonist a forward thinker alongside a delight to spend time with and a continual joy as she grows into her forced role as things look bleak for her family. Its a pure delight to spend time with and when you throw in a good few twists, some cracking red herrings and a heroine you can't wait to spend time with all round makes it a tale that you'll return to during subsquent rereads to spot clues you may have missed once you know the answer.

Tuesday, 4 April 2017

Release Date: 05/04/17Publisher: Michael JosephSYNOPSIS:
When an alien vessel materialises in London, does it mean peace or war? Waking Gods is the gripping sequel to the ground-breaking thriller Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Neuvel.

What's going on?
Turn on the television.
What channel?
Any channel.

An unknown vessel, not of this world, materializes in London. A colossal figure towering over the city, it makes no move. Is this a peaceful first contact or the prelude to an invasion?

Every child has nightmares. But the only thing scarier than little Eva Reyes' dreams - apocalyptic visions of death and destruction - is the habit they have of coming true...

Scientist Dr Rose Franklin has no memory of the last few years. The strangers she works with say she died, and was brought back to life. The question is not just how ... but why?

Kara Resnik and Vincent Couture fell in love during war, and have found peace since. They are the thin line of defence against what is coming. But they do not know they have been living a lie.

And a man who claims to have the answers has his own agenda. There are things he cannot say - and others he won't.

All pieces of an epic puzzle. One we have been trying to solve since the dawn of time...

REVIEW:
OK, I'm entering this on book two rather than the first title (Sleeping Giants) and whilst I realised that there would be spoilers for the first, I was more than entertained and felt welcomed in by those ice cold metallic arms.

Its well written, with humanity facing extinction from Robots (again) and whilst this is an old trope, it does work decidedly well in the authors favour as he adds his on flavours to the pot to generate something unique.

All round I was more than pleased with the book and loved the way it gave me highs and lows alongside goosebumps in much the same way Jeff Wayne's War of the Worlds has. Finally throw into the mix a good sense of pace allowing you to gather your breath alongside characters who help forward the tale and all round it was a joy to spend time with. Cracking.

Monday, 3 April 2017

Release Date: 23/03/17Publisher: Head of ZeusSYNOPSIS:
One man hell-bent on avenging his family,

the other dead-set on protecting his...

Joe Pickett always knew there'd be a day of reckoning. And now that day has come.

Two years ago, his daughter was beaten and dumped by the side of a country road. Joe's determination to avenge her forced him into a catastrophic confrontation with the Cates clan that left three of their number dead and put the two survivors behind bars. Now the youngest son, Dallas, is out of prison and back in town. Joe knows exactly why he's returned – an eye for an eye.

All Joe can do is wait for Dallas to make the first move...

REVIEW:
I love it when events from the past come back to haunt a principle character and for me CJ has really worked this revenge thriller well as his principle hero has to withstand the wrath of Dallas Cates whose pulling no punches coming after him and his family.

Its a book that works wonderfully well with cracking prose, top notch pace and of course a principle character that you just love to spend time around. Don't worry if you haven't read the previous book featuring thier last encounter "Endangered" as CJ presents an overview for the reader. All round cracking fun.

Sunday, 2 April 2017

Release Date: 23/03/17Publisher: Harper CollinsSYNOPSIS:
My name is Amber Reynolds. There are three things you should know about me.

1. I’m in a coma

2. My husband doesn’t love me any more

3. Sometimes I lie

Unnerving, twisted and utterly compelling, you won’t be able to put this new thriller down. Set to be the most talked about book in 2017, it’s perfect for fans of Behind Closed Doors, The Girl on the Train and The Widow.

REVIEW:
As many people know I love books that are a little different and take the reader on a journey, the more dysfunctional the characters alongside many weaknesses help bring them to life and for me this outing by Alice, really does give you the best of all with a whole cast of people that you could step outside and meet on the street.

It's defintiely a quirky book and with many twists and turns leave you wondering which way is up as each piece of the puzzle throws another spanner into the works. Its definitely a book that I was pleased I took the time to read, the prose sharp, the plotline solid and whilst at times I was left trying to figure things out so that they made sense, I had a lot of fun each night as I put it down as I imagined what would occur next. All round a book that was a cracking journey and a title thats made me pay attention to Alice. Magic.

Saturday, 1 April 2017

Hail Mighty Readers and Followers of the Calloused Thumbs,By now you've already heard and become excited about the forthcoming Destiny 2 from Bungie, however a lot of the feed out there is about the various editions but they don't mention the prices which we're going to let you know about so you can make your own choice, but before we give you the bitter pill just in case you missed the Trailer here it is:

OK, so now you've seen it (and for us, Nathan Fillion playing Cayde 6 stole it) we feel its time to delve into the not so nice part, the price of the various edition alongside what you get: Please remember that these are the current prices for the Xbox One as of this article and are subject to change:Collectors Edition: £219.99

Destiny 2 Base Game

Destiny 2 Expansion Pass: Get access to both Expansion I and Expansion II, offering brand new story missions, cooperative activities, competitive multiplayer, and a wealth of new weapons, armor, and gear.

Destiny 2 – Frontier Bag

Customizable bag that can be worn as a backpack or messenger bag

15” Laptop/Tablet Sleeve with protective pocket slip

Frontier Kit, featuring:

Solar panel USB charger with built-in light

Paracord

Solar blanket

Limited Edition SteelBook® Case

Booklet with secrets into the Cabal Empire

Cabal Schematic

Collectible Postcard Images

Cabal Military Pawns

Premium digital content:

Legendary Sword

Legendary Player Emote

Cabal Empire Themed Emblem

Limited Edition: £89.99

Destiny 2 Base Game

Destiny 2 Expansion Pass: Get access to both Expansion I and Expansion II, offering brand new story missions, cooperative activities, competitive multiplayer, and a wealth of new weapons, armor, and gear.

Limited Edition SteelBook® Case

Cabal-themed Collector’s Box, containing:

Booklet with secrets into the Cabal Empire

Cabal Schematic

Collectible Postcard Images

Cabal Military Pawns

Premium digital content:

Legendary Sword

Legendary Player Emote

Cabal Empire Themed Emblem

Digital Deluxe Edition: £89.99

Destiny 2 Base Game

Destiny 2 Expansion Pass: Get access to both Expansion I and Expansion II, offering brand new story missions, cooperative activities, competitive multiplayer, and a wealth of new weapons, armor, and gear.

Premium Digital Content:

Legendary Sword

Legendary Player Emote

Cabal Empire Themed Emblem

Destiny 2 Game plus Expansion Pass: £79.99

Destiny 2 Base Game

Destiny 2 Expansion Pass: Get access to both Expansion I and Expansion II, offering brand new story missions, cooperative activities, competitive multiplayer, and a wealth of new weapons, armor, and gear.

Destiny 2 Game: £59.99

Destiny 2 Base Game

We hope this helps you make your choice, Gareth and Lady Eleanor

Destiny 2 Expansion Pass: Currently Unknown

Destiny 2 Expansion Pass: Get access to both Expansion I and Expansion II, offering brand new story missions, cooperative activities, competitive multiplayer, and a wealth of new weapons, armor, and gear.

We hope this helps you make your choice for the edition either you'd like or that family member,

While the rich turn to Sherlock Holmes, the celebrated private detective rarely visits the densely populated streets of South London, where the crimes are sleazier and the people are poorer.

In a dark corner of Southwark, victims turn to a man who despises Holmes, his wealthy clientele and his showy forensic approach to crime: Arrowood – self-taught psychologist, occasional drunkard and private investigator.

When a man mysteriously disappears and Arrowood’s best lead is viciously stabbed before his eyes, he and his sidekick Barnett face their toughest quest yet: to capture the head of the most notorious gang in London…

In the bestselling tradition of Anthony Horowitz and Andrew Taylor, this gloriously dark crime debut will haunt readers long after the final page has been turned.

REVIEW:
I love books that try to do something a little different and this debut from Mick gave me one hell of a treat as I loved the way he brought the old streets of London to life for me with not only cracking description but carefully woven humour.

The principle characters work well together each one working off the other as thier clues to thier case are discovered proving to be something deeper than originally thought. Its carefully designed, the prose is sharp and when you add the Dickensian and Conan Doyle style of wordplay utilised all round gives it a rather authentic flavour.

Finally throw into the mix a rather delightful style of storytelling alongside a set up that could easily lead to a series and all round I was a more than happy reader. I'll definitely keep an eye out for more books by this author in future.

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